Page 33 - FWG Issue 3_April_2022

alone, Nicaragua’s incumbent president BUILDING A MORE DEMOCRATIC WORLD democracy’s proponents let them. It is time
won a new term in a tightly orchestrated There is a school of thought that the for everyone who understands the stakes to
election after his security forces arrested displacement of global democratic rebuild and improve upon the international
opposition candidates and deregistered norms by authoritarian powers and other norms that democracies long championed,
civil society organisations. Sudan’s antidemocratic protagonists can still and push the reprehensible practices
generals seized power once again, be reversed. But success will require a of authoritarians back to the margins of
reversing democratic progress made bold, sustained response that establishes human experience where they belong.
after the 2019 ouster of former dictator support for democracy and counters
Omar al-Bashir. And as the United States authoritarianism in all its guises. It must By tipping the balance back in favour of
abruptly withdrew its military from involve the participation of both the worldwide democracy, the mass exodus
Afghanistan, the elected government government of a country and an engaged of refugees escaping oppression will be
in Kabul collapsed and gave way to and active citizenry. avoided; standards of living will stabilise; and
the Taliban, returning the country to a basic human rights will gain greater traction.
system that is diametrically opposed to CONCLUSION
democracy and equality. The Freedom of the World Report 2022 states: *Freedom House was founded in 1973 on the
Despite the clear arguments in favour of core conviction that freedom flourishes in
Nevertheless, despite the damage to democracy, the past 16 years have shown democratic nations where governments are
democracy’s foundations and reputation, in stark terms that neither the prevalence accountable to their people. Every year, its
popular demand for democracy remains of democratic ideas around the world nor research assesses the conditions of political
strong. From Sudan to Myanmar, people the certainty of global progress toward rights and civil liberties around the world.
continue to risk their lives in the pursuit democratic governance can be taken for
of freedom in their countries. Many others granted. Autocrats remain determined to Large sections of this article have been taken
undertake dangerous journeys in order to keep and expand their power, and they verbatim from the Freedom of the World
live freely elsewhere. will continue to make gains so long as Reports.

Fourways Gardens • 31 • April 2022